Mouthpiece for a water pipe

ABSTRACT

A mouthpiece is described that can be used with a water pipe to improve hygiene and performance of the water pipe. A cylindrical first portion fits within an opening of a water pipe and a substantially conical portion provides a substantially airtight seal with a smoker&#39;s mouth. The conical portion is constructed from a flexible material that deforms to fit the profile of the smoker&#39;s mouth. The cylindrical portion is constructed from a material that provides a snug friction fit with the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to smoking apparatus and more particularly to accessories for a water pipe.

2. Description of Related Art

Hookahs and bongs are instruments used for smoking any of a variety of materials and combinations of smoking materials. Traditionally a hookah is used to smoke a gooey mixture of tobacco, molasses, honey, and fruit. For example, Shisha is a mixture of tobacco and molasses that can be smoked in a hookah. In operation, hookahs purify smoke drawn through a stem 14 using water 12 as a filter before delivering the smoke to opening 100. Smoking materials 102 are placed in a bowl 16 where they are heated and/or burned to obtain the smoke that is drawn through a stem 14 into the water 12. A user of the hookah draws smoke through the device by application of a negative pressure to the opening 100 that draws the smoke through water 12.

A bong, also commonly known as a water pipe, is a smoking device, generally used to smoke cannabis, tobacco, or other substances. The construction of a bong and its principle of action is similar to that of the hookah. A bong may be constructed from any air-tight and water-tight vessel by adding an apparatus having a bowl 16 and stem 14.

A safety rationale behind the use of bongs and hookahs rests in the claim that the cooling effect of the water helps to reduce the chance of burning the mouth, airways, and lungs, thus many claim that using a bong to smoke is safer. The water 12 can also trap some heavier particles and water-soluble molecules, preventing them from entering the smoker's airways. However, these apparent safety improvements are often negated or offset by the risk of sharing the apparatus with other smokers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a mouthpiece for use with a water pipe. Some of these embodiments comprise a cylindrical first portion configured to fit within an opening of a water pipe. Some of these embodiments comprise a substantially conical portion having a first end having a size and shape calculated to permit a substantially airtight seal with a smoker's mouth and a second end having a smaller opening than the first end and joined with a corresponding opening of the cylindrical portion. In some of these embodiments, the conical portion is constructed from a flexible material that deforms to fit the profile of the smoker's mouth. In some of these embodiments, the cylindrical portion is constructed from a material that provides a snug friction fit with the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of a water pipe.

FIG. 2 shows a water pipe fitted with a mouthpiece according to certain aspects of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3D show different views of a mouthpiece constructed according to certain aspects of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a mouthpiece that includes an integral filter constructed according to certain aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Notably, the figures and examples below are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. Where certain elements of these embodiments can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention will be described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components will be omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting; rather, the invention is intended to encompass other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the components referred to herein by way of illustration.

With reference to FIG. 2, certain embodiments of the invention comprise a mouthpiece 20 that can be used with smoking devices 10 of various sizes and styles, including water pipes and hookahs. For the purposes of this discussion, certain aspects of the invention will be described in the context of a generic water pipe as depicted in FIG. 2. However, the construction, function and operation of the claimed mouthpiece is not limited to use with a single type of pipe and the invention finds application in all varieties of pipes including bongs, hookahs and water pipes. It is contemplated that the mouthpiece may be used with pipes having different configurations of bowl and mouthpiece; for example, the smoking material may be heated or burned within or without the body of the pipe. Moreover, it is contemplated that the claimed mouthpiece will be of particular use in pipes used communally but the mouthpiece is also applicable for solo consumption of the smoking materials.

In a typical application, detachable mouthpiece 20 is used by a single smoker and retained by the smoker while water pipe 10 is passed for use between other smokers. Consequently, mouthpiece 20 can improve hygiene of water pipe 10 use. Mouthpiece 20 may also comprise a filter element 22 that provides additional purification of smoke passing from water 12 to the smoker. Mouthpiece 20 enables inhalation without tar build-up on the lips or mouthpiece and can serve to protect a user from water splash entering the mouth and certain harmful vapors entering the lungs, thereby providing significant protections to smokers. Moreover, the components of the filter element 22 may be selected to retard and/or prevent passage of harmful materials, including carbon resin, nicotine, carcinogens and other small particles. Because it is envisaged that the mouthpiece would be used by one individual, its use would also help protect from diseases passed by saliva or direct contact, including herpes, common colds, influenza, hepatitis, tuberculosis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Mouthpiece 20 may be constructed from an elastic material that is reconfigurable to provide a relatively snug fit with the smoker's mouth and nose in order to permit the smoker to capture amount of the smoke passed through the water 12 of pipe 10. Mouthpiece 20 may be sufficiently flexible to provide a fit between the smoker's mouth and/or nose in order to form an airtight or substantially airtight connection with a smoker's mouth such that the smoker can generate an improved pressure differential on the surface of water 12 to draw a greater proportion of smoke gasses, and vapors generated by smoking material 102 in bowl 16. The increased pressure, when applied to stem 14 may provide a “bellows” effect improving rate and/or heat of burn of smoking material 16.

FIGS. 3A-3D provides different views of mouth piece 20. Typically, a portion of mouthpiece 20 is constructed such that it may be slid into opening 100 for ease of attachment to a water pipe. In one example, mouthpiece has a generally conical portion 32 and a substantially cylindrical portion 33. Cylindrical portion is inserted within the opening 100 of water pipe 10. As depicted, conical portion 32 has a ribbed or fluted profile that may be configured to assist fitting of the mouthpiece 20 to a variety of smoking devices. The ribbing of the mouthpiece can simultaneously strengthen the mouthpiece structure relative to a more simple conical design and enable a universal fit of the mouthpiece 20 to smoking implements; i.e. the ribbed mouthpiece can typically fit smoking implements of various mouthpiece sizes.

In one example, ribbing may provide a stepped contour that results in a plurality of cylindrical portions having different diameters that enable matching the mouthpiece 20 to various sizes of water pipes. Thus, mouthpiece 20 may engage opening 100 of water pipe 10 at any surface portion 320-323 of the mouthpiece 20. As depicted, surfaces 320-323 present a generally flat, cylindrical aspect to the opening 100 of water pipe 10. However, it is contemplated that other shapes and configurations of such engagement surfaces may yield advantages in certain circumstances. For example, a continuous conical contact surface may permit easy insertion and removal of mouthpiece 20, particularly where harder and/or less elastic materials are used to construct mouthpiece 20.

Mouthpiece 20 may receive and maintain a removable filter component 22. In the example depicted, filter component 22 may be located within cylindrical portion 33 and held in place by retainers 340-343 such as pins, clips, teeth and/or tabs. These retainers 340-343 permit the filter to be releasably inserted into the filter compartment and/or chamber. FIG. 4 provides a specific example of an embodiment in which the location and fixing of filter 22 within a filter compartment of mouthpiece 20 using one or more pins 40. The filter compartment can be constructed to have a size calculated to fit a replaceable proprietary or commercially available filter. In one embodiment, the filter 22 can be a standard-sized cigarette filter. Certain embodiments provide a filter compartment within may be relocatable within cylindrical portion and/or conical portion 20 to accommodate different sizes of filter 22. Filter compartment may also be shaped to accommodate a correspondingly shaped filter 22 as necessary.

In one example stage filter 22 comprises a cellulose acetate such as the filters found in cigarettes. However, other filter materials can be used, including for example, paper, industrial hemp, cotton, seaweed and sand. The filter materials may be selected to obtain beneficial effects that can include addition of scent, flavor (e.g. herbs, menthol, etc.) and removal of certain potentially harmful constituents of the smoke. In some embodiments, the filter can adopt the general form and size of a standard cigarette filter size. The size of filter can be selected based on the available or desired surface area through which filtered smoke is to be drawn. In one example, a filter with a diameter of 20 mm may be used (see, e.g. FIG. 4). However, the filter may be substantially larger or smaller based on the application and filters ranging from 5 mm to 50 mm may be employed in different smoking applications. It is contemplated that other sizes of filters, formats of filters and composite filters may be employed in some applications of the present invention.

The mouthpiece may be constructed from any suitable material including, for example, rubber, silicone, mixtures of rubber and silicone as well as disposable and/or biodegradable materials such as paper and cardboard. In one example, a mouthpiece is constructed from silicone, and in particular, surgical-grade silicone. The filter chamber can be provided as an insert or bonded and can be constructed from a hardened plastic material, a ceramic, or any other suitable material known in the art.

A mouthpiece can be manufactured using techniques and equipment selected for the types of materials used. For example, certain elements of the mouthpiece may be manufactured using silicon molds, plastic injection, extrusion and other such technologies. Ceramic and hard components may be machined and finished using computer numeric controlled equipment.

ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIONS OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing descriptions of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced with various combinations of the functionalities and capabilities described above, and can include fewer or additional components than described above. Certain additional aspects and features of the invention are further set forth below, and can be obtained using the functionalities and components described in more detail above, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after being taught by the present disclosure.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide mouthpiece for use with a water pipe. Some of these embodiments comprise a cylindrical first portion configured to fit within an opening of a water pipe. Some of these embodiments comprise a substantially conical portion having a first end having a size and shape calculated to permit a substantially airtight seal with a smoker's mouth and a second end having a smaller opening than the first end and joined with a corresponding opening of the cylindrical portion. In some of these embodiments, the conical portion is constructed from a flexible material that deforms to fit the profile of the smoker's mouth. In some of these embodiments, the cylindrical portion is constructed from a material that provides a snug friction fit with the opening.

In some of these embodiments, the mouthpiece passes a smoke generated by a burning a smoking material and filtered by water in the water pipe. Some of these embodiments comprise a compartment located within the cylindrical portion and configured to retain a removable filter that prevents passage of harmful materials in the smoke. Some of these embodiments comprise one or more pins configured to retain the removable filter. Some of these embodiments comprise one or more clips configured to retain the removable filter. In some of these embodiments, the harmful materials including particulate materials. In some of these embodiments, the harmful materials include particulate materials. In some of these embodiments, the harmful materials include carbon resin. In some of these embodiments, the harmful materials include nicotine. In some of these embodiments, the harmful materials include carcinogens.

In some of these embodiments, the substantially conical portion is defined by a stepped surface comprising a plurality of steps, each step having a cylindrical outer surface parallel to the surface of the cylindrical portion, wherein the diameter of the steps decreases from the first end to the second end of the substantially conical portion. In some of these embodiments, the cylindrical surface of each step is configured to engage an inner surface of a water pipe.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. A mouthpiece for use with a water pipe comprising: a cylindrical portion configured to fit within an opening of a water pipe; and a substantially conical portion having a first end having a size and shape calculated to permit a substantially airtight seal with a smoker's mouth and a second end having a smaller opening than the first end and joined with a corresponding opening of the cylindrical portion, and wherein the cylindrical portion is constructed from a material that provides a snug friction fit with the opening.
 2. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece passes a smoke generated by burning a smoking material and filtered by water in the water pipe.
 3. The mouthpiece of claim 2, further comprising a compartment located within the cylindrical portion and configured to retain a removable filter that prevents passage of harmful materials in the smoke.
 4. The mouthpiece of claim 3, further comprising one or more pins configured to retain the removable filter.
 5. The mouthpiece of claim 3, further comprising one or more clips configured to retain the removable filter.
 6. The mouthpiece of claim 3, wherein the harmful materials including particulate materials.
 7. The mouthpiece of claim 3, wherein the harmful materials include particulate materials.
 8. The mouthpiece of claim 3, wherein the harmful materials include carbon resin.
 9. The mouthpiece of claim 3, wherein the harmful materials include nicotine.
 10. The mouthpiece of claim 3, wherein the harmful materials include carcinogens.
 11. The mouthpiece of claim 3, wherein the location of the filter may be adjusted to accommodate a filter having a desired surface area.
 12. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the substantially conical portion is defined by a stepped surface comprising a plurality of steps, each step having a cylindrical outer surface parallel to the surface of the cylindrical outer surfaces of the other steps, wherein the diameter of the steps decreases from the first end to the second end of the substantially conical portion.
 13. The mouthpiece of claim 12, wherein the cylindrical surface of each step is configured to engage an inner surface of a water pipe.
 14. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the conical portion is constructed from a flexible material that deforms to fit the profile of the smoker's mouth.
 15. The mouthpiece of claim 14, wherein the fit of the mouthpiece to the smoker's mouth is sufficient to form a substantially airtight connection between the smoker's mouth and the mouthpiece.
 16. A smoking method comprising the steps of: heating a smoking material in a bowl of a pipe to obtain a smoke; fitting a cylindrical portion of a mouthpiece to an opening of a water pipe; forming a substantially airtight connection between a substantially conical portion of the mouthpiece and a smoker's mouth; and generating a desired pressure differential within the pipe such that the smoke is drawn through the pipe.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the desired pressure differential is sufficient to draw smoke through water within the pipe, wherein the water filters the smoke.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the desired pressure differential is further sufficient to draw smoke through a filter provided in the mouthpiece.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein forming a substantially airtight connection includes deforming the mouthpiece to fit the profile of the smoker's mouth. 